Five ways to help improve your morning commute

Your morning (and afternoon) commute doesn’t have to be a drag. Whether you drive, or catch public transport, the commute to work can actually be an incredibly productive time.

From listening to podcasts and streaming music, to practicing meditation and learning a new language, there are some really great ways to spend your commute to work.

podcasts

We all know how horrible packed public transport can be. With one hand holding onto whatever you can reach for dear life, the last thing you need is to be flicking though songs or trying to watch a show on your phone. Podcasts take this stress out of the morning commute. Simply press play and enjoy.

There are so many great podcasts to listen to on your morning commute. From true crime stories to comedy, there's something for every listener. Who knows, you might even want to stay on the train a little longer, just so you can finish that cracking episode.

mediation

We all lead busy lives. Between packed work schedules, catching-up with friends and staying in touch with family, it can be hard to find time for ourselves. It may not sound as glamorous as taking a spa day, but your morning commute can be a great opportunity to get some ‘me time’.

Smiling mind is a great, free app that lets you do just that. Begin by selecting the ‘guided mindfulness program’ that’s right for you. There are programs suitable for adults, work situations and even kids and teens. Each program is comprised of short sessions that you work your way through. Starting at just 3 minutes long, they’re a great way of getting you ready for the day ahead.

learn a language

There are plenty of great language learning apps to choose from, that together cover almost every language imaginable. Most lessons come in short, manageable chunks so you don’t get too overwhelmed. Doulingo is a popular choice. They’ve turned learning a language into a game, which can end up being quite fun and addictive. Enjoy a nifty points system and games that race you against the clock.

music-streaming

Almost every person on public transport these day has a set of headphones in. And a lot of this is due to music-streaming apps like Spotify.

Spotify has won over our hearts and our ears with its endless supply of songs. With over 30 million songs to choose from, it’s safe to say if you can’t find it on Spotify, you’ll struggle to find it anywhere else.

One of the app’s niftiest features is that it creates a personalised ‘Discover Weekly’ playlist for you. This weekly playlist is full of music suggestions based on what you listen to. It’s a great option for those days when you just can’t pick a playlist.

catch-up on the news

If you’re one of those people who says they never have time to keep-up with the news. This is lies – all lies!

With almost every news platform now making their sites mobile-friendly and also creating mobile apps, there is no reason you can’t get your daily update during the morning commute. Whether you’re into current affairs or more reality TV-style news, I can guarantee you there is app for it. Yahoo’s Newsroom’s is a great option and its simple interface makes it perfect for those journeys where you only have one hand free.

While these apps can certainly help brighten up your daily commute, they can also end up chewing through your data at a pretty rapid pace, so finding a plan that matches up with your browsing habits is super important.

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